The Burgess Bird Book For Children

The Burgess Bird Book For Children

By Thornton W. Burgess

TO THE CHILDREN AND THE BIRDS OF AMERICA THAT THE BONDS OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THEM MAY BE STRENGTHENED THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED

PREFACE

This book was written to supply a definite need. Its preparation was undertaken at the urgent request of booksellers and others who have felt the lack of a satisfactory medium of introduction to bird life for little children. As such, and in no sense whatever as a competitor with the many excellent books on this subject, but rather to supplement these, this volume has been written.

Its primary purpose is to interest the little child in, and to make him acquainted with, those feathered friends he is most likely to see. Because there is no method of approach to the child mind equal to the story, this method of conveying information has been adopted. So far as I am aware the book is unique in this respect. In its preparation an earnest effort has been made to present as far as possible the important facts regarding the appearance, habits and characteristics of our feathered neighbors. It is intended to be at once a story book and an authoritative handbook. While it is intended for little children, it is hoped that children of larger growth may find in it much of both interest and helpfulness.

Mr. Louis Agassiz Fuertes, artist and naturalist, has marvelously supplemented such value as may be in the text by his wonderful drawings in full color. They were made especially for this volume and are so accurate, so true to life, that study of them will enable any one to identify the species shown. I am greatly indebted to Mr. Fuertes for his cooperation in the endeavor to make this book of real assistance to the beginner in the study of our native birds.

It is offered to the reader without apologies of any sort. It was written as a labor of love—love for little children and love for the birds. If as a result of it even a few children are led to a keener interest in and better understanding of our feathered friends, its purpose will have been accomplished.

The Constant Singers. – The Red-eyed, Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireos.

Jenny Wren’s Cousins. – The Brown Thrasher and the Mockingbird.

Voices of the Dusk. – The Wood, Hermit and Wilson’s Thrushes.

Peter Saves a Friend and Learns Something. – The Towhee and the Indigo Bunting.

A Royal Dresser and a Late Nester. – The Purple Linnet and the Goldfinch.

Mourner the Dove and Cuckoo. – The Mourning Dove and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

A Butcher and a Hummer. – The Shrike and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

A Stranger and a Dandy. – The English Starling and the Cedar Waxwing.

Farewells and Welcomes. – The Chickadee.

Honker and Dippy Arrive. – The Canada Goose and the Loon.

Peter Discovers Two Old Friends. – The White-breasted Nuthatch and the Brown Creeper.

Some Merry Seed-Eaters. – The Tree Sparrow and the Junco.

More Friends Come With the Snow. – The Snow Bunting and the Horned Lark.

Peter Learns Something About Spooky. – The Screech Owl.

Queer Feet and a Queerer Bill. – The Ruffed Grouse and the Crossbills.

More Folks in Red. – The Pine Grosbeak and the Redpoll.

Peter Sees Two Terrible Feathered Hunters. – The Goshawk and the Great Horned Owl.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) by Nikhil Devasar

Lee’s Addition:

I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)

I think you will greatly enjoy this book. Birds and their behaviors are presented in a story, but many birdwatching truths are introduced. Look for questions and Christian principle at the end of the chapters. These are also a good way to read and teach your child or grandchild. Enjoy!

(P.S. – Just found a source for audio for these chapters. They will be attached.)

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